SAFEWAT: Water purification system by Population Services International

Most drinking water projects are designed for supply of treated water through pipes to communities ; this requires investment on infrastructure such as pumps, overhead tanks, supply pipes, water purification equipment and after the project, maintenance staff and funds; while all this calls for planning, funding and time to execute, yet we cannot be certain that the water delivered remains uncontaminated. Irrespective of all this, over one billion of us are meeting our drinking water need every day somehow, regardless of the quality of water that is available. The first priority in drinking water schemes should be to make the available water safe at the point of use, namely at the household level. The Center for Disease Control [CDC] USA, has come out with some very simple and inexpensive measures to achieve this object through chlorination. The social marketing NGO 'Population Services International' is marketing this product under the trade name 'SAFEWAT' at Rs.10 a bottle of 100Ml which can treat 1000 liters at one drop per liter of water; the cost works out to one 1 paise per liter of water.Along with this water purification, social mobilisation of the community to store the water in narrow-mouthed containers or do-not-dip with hand, washing of hands with soap before cooking, eating food and after visit to latrine are recommended for adoption. Once the mother in the home is taught these facts,the family will be safe. This is a program that can be implemented from this minute by every one and this can reduce dramatically diarrhoea ,which is the second major cause of infant mortality in our country. Readers interested in further details may visit the following websites- http://www.cdc.gov/safewater/ http://www.psi.org/where_we_work/india.html For supply of 'safewat' in Andhra Pradesh you can contact G. Srinivas , Field Officer, at gsrinivas@psi.org, mobile-9247753746, or write to PSI, Plot no39, Krishnapuri colony, West Marredpally, Secunderabad-500026. tel-040-27803588/89